Previous reports of courageous Police Dog Toto being shot dead were wrong! He Survived!
-- Courageous Police Dog Toto Survives Shooting: farmer Schalk Blom, 54, also survives unscathed from farm attack by seven black males at Schoemanskloof farm
--- Six men were arrested -- 21 June 2013 media release by Col Leonard Hlathi SAPS on Schoemanskloof farm attack, June 20 2013
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" SCHOEMANSKLOOF – Machadodorp police officials worked tirelessly overnight, tracking down seven villains who coarsely attacked a 54 year old farmer the previous day.
It all unfolded when officials received information about a house robbery and immediately responded. During their response, they spotted a sedan with two male occupants and when these two men were questioned about their presence on the farm, they became evasive and told police that they were in the vicinity to buy oranges.
The vigilant members were suspicious and continued questioning them. The men later confessed that they were waiting for other men who went to the farm to collect something.
The police helicopter, K9 Unit of Lydenburg, the tactical response team (TRT) and the Flying Squad were activated to assist with the search. One farmer also activated his private helicopter to assist the police. This magnificent and integrated approach, led to the arrest of three other suspects. These men were found at approximately 02:00 on the road in the process of hitch-hicking towards Nelspruit. The men allegedly said that they were part of the gang. After their arrest, they disclosed the whereabouts of the sixth man and police officials managed to arrest him while he too was hitch-hiking towards Nelspruit. A firearm and laptop were allegedly found in his possession.During further investigations, it appeared that a police dog was shot by one of the suspects who later threw the firearm into a river.Police divers were summoned and the firearm was recovered together with a laptop which was stashed in the grass near the river.
All six suspects, aged between 46 and 21, will appear before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of house robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
A short probe by police revealed that the 46-year-old suspect is on parole for a murder he committed in Masoyi. Further scrutiny confirmed that these men are also wanted for a series of similar ruthless crimes in other parts of
the province. One suspect with two unlicensed firearms is still at large, but police are optimistic that he will be arrested soon. Our sincere appreciation is extended to the farmer who without hesitation freely activated
his helicopter to assist the police.
Brave Toto fought to protect handler Marcel Oosthuizen, and bit the suspect a suspect a second time - despite his gunshot wound
SCHOEMANSKLOOF - Toto, the dog of warrant-officer Marcel Oosthuizen, stationed at Lydenburg, now is recovering at the West Acres Animal Hospital.
He was shot through the tongue and mouth with one bullet.
Col Leonard Hlathi said the dog was shot while the police were apprehending a suspect who was amongst a seven-man gang who earlier had attacked the farm of farmer Schalk Blom, 54, of Schoemanskloof at Patatanek.
Col Hlathi said three firearms were stolen from Mr Blom's farm. He was tied up but otherwise unscathed.
Oosthuizen and Toto were amongst the large team of farmers and police officers who were searching for the armed gang.
It is suspected that they may also be involved in rhino-poaching.
When Oosthuizen and Toto accosted one of three male suspects who were hiking to Nelspruit, the suspect pulled out a .38 revolver and fired a shot at the dog.
Yet despite his injury, Toto bit the man a second time. "Toto saved the life of his handler, because Oosthuizen then realized the man had a firearm and that he needed to approach him with caution, said dog-unit commanding officer
col. Paul Bester from Witrivier. "Toto lost a great deal of blood and they rushed him to West Acres Animal Hospital.
Dr Nicola Colborn was waiting for their arrival. The dog was in shock, and we immediately stabilised him and gave him fluids,' she said.
X-rays revealed that the bullet had penetrated his tongue before exiting from the neck.
When Lowvelder Newspaper journalists visited Toto the next day at 15h30, he was already up and around and even gave nursing sister Nicole Mills a paw.
Meanwhile police divers were searching for the .38 firearm which the suspect had tossed into the Crocodile River.
Diving team captains Pottie and Joey Potgieter and constable Raymond Maphanga recovered the .38 revolver allegedly robbed from the farmer.
When another suspect was arrested, police also reportedly recovered one of Blom's stolen hunting rifles and it is believed that this arrested man is a suspected rhino-poacher who had been released on bail or was out on parole.
Six suspects now are in custody.
http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/lowveld/lowveld-news-crime?oid=7560297&sn=Detail&pid=490168&Opvolg--Polisiehond-geskiet-toe-hy-vermeende-plaasaanvaller-aankeer
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